Despite all your preparations, it still happened – you’re lost!
I love the GPS dashboard device that my wife bought me for Christmas a few years back that tells me where to go and when to turn! I still carry a real, actual, good old paper Rand McNally road map in my car, but my GPS gets me from point A to B without any headaches.
If only planning for our retirement could be so easy! Just select a destination and sit back while you listen to the little woman inside your GPS tell you where to go. But wait, what about that gravel road and then dirt trail that suddenly ends? Do we dutifully followed the GPS directions while the navigation system re-plots a new route based on coordinates that are now miles from the intended destination? Yikes! Even the best navigation system in the world makes mistakes.
Can you feel my sense of bewilderment? I did everything I was supposed to do, and look at what happened? Can you imagine when the destination is your retirement instead of a road trip? Could you imagine doing everything you were supposed to do, but not ending up where you were told you would be? Many Americans are feeling that frustration these days.
It would be nice to know in which direction to head, to know if there is a detour ahead, and to have a Plan B in case your original plan…The Plan…can’t get you to your destination. In fact, the right plan could let you know to call ahead and let everyone know that you’ll be late.
There are typically three categories of future retirees:
• People who don’t have a plan, and perhaps don’t want one
• People who are still using yesterday’s ideas and concepts
• People who will get to where they want to be by knowing where the roadblocks are and allowing their GPS to reset and guide them to their destination.
Is your roadmap obsolete or GPS re-plotting your route? How will you prepare for the future and what will you tell your children and grandchildren? Stay alert and watchful so you can adjust your destination, if needed, and avoid the roadblocks that will inevitably pop up along the way. Unfortunately, a GPS or a college degree won’t guarantee you a smooth trip or happy ending. In your journey through life, a little humor, a lot of common sense and practical honest advice will help!
Filed under: Goal setting, Money, Police retirement planning, Uncategorized Tagged: | goals, gps, maps, money, plan b, police retirement tax planning goals, Rand McNally
